Dave's Handy Hints and publishing

Dangerous Threads

2011-10-29T18:27:00.000-05:00

Virginia is at it again. The title of Virginia's new book is DANGEROUS THREADS and it has lots of action, twists and adventure as usual. She and her husband Andy along with her friend Donna are in search of the 1933 Sears quilt contest winning quilt that was displayed at the Chicago Worlds Fair. It was later given to Mrs. Roosevelt and then it disappeared. That part is true, but in the story, it contains something of great value to the government and others who will stop at nothing to get their hands on it, including murder.
I finished the book and it is at the publisher for release in the fall of 2012. .

TSA

2011-10-24T18:00:00.000-05:00

Traveling these days, especially by air can be trying. The airlines can be a royal pain but the real trouble can be the TAS guards. Notice I called them guards and not officers. They are NOT police officers!

TSA personnel at airports and other places are like Mall security guards. They have as much arrest authority as Joe Public. They are government rent-a-cops.

TSA arrest authority derives from 49 USC 44903(d)(2):

[The] Secretary of Transportation may authorize an individual who carries out air transportation security duties– (2) to make arrests without warrant for an offense against the United States committed in the presence of the individual or for a felony under the laws of the United States, if the individual reasonably believes the individual to be arrested has committed or is committing a felony.

John Q Public can do this too, and John Q Public can also do it for state crimes where the TSA guard can not.

With respect to searches and denial of transportation, Federal law at 49 USC 44902(a) allows an airline to refuse to transport:

(1) a passenger who does not consent to a search under section 44901(a) of this title establishing whether the passenger is carrying unlawfully a dangerous weapon, explosive, or other destructive substance; or (2) property of a passenger who does not consent to a search of the property establishing whether the property unlawfully contains a dangerous weapon, explosive, or other destructive substance.

In addition, 49 USC 44902(b) authorizes the denial of transportation to anyone or anything “inimical to safety”.

Nothing in either of these sections purports to grant any authority for search, to require consent for search, or to authorize denial of transportation, except on the basis of safety.

To date, courts reviewing TSA actions have assumed that TSA searches were limited to searches for weapons, explosives, or other threats to aviation security. Most recently, for example, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2007, en banc, that “the scope of such searches is not limitless. A particular airport security screening search is constitutionally reasonable provided that it ‘is no more extensive nor intensive than necessary, in the light of current technology, to detect the presence of weapons or explosives [ ] [and] that it is confined in good faith to that purpose.’” (USA v. Aukai, quoting US v. Davis, 9th Cir. 19

You do not have to comply with any TSA guards orders except as noted.
They can also legally look at a government issued photo ID and your boarding pass to verify you are authorized to enter the secured area and that you are actually the person with the boarding pass. If you are not, they can prevent you from entering the secured area or getting on an airplane. That is reasonable.

Beyond that, they are limited to what they can do. The TSA thinks they can by executive order they can do more, but all they can LEGALLY do, if you have weapons, explosives, or other threats to aviation security is call the police and stop you from getting on an airplane.

Promoting Yorself at a Writing Conference

2011-09-02T10:31:00.002-05:00

Promoting Yorself at a Writing Conference

Attending a conference is fun, but it's also expensive. There are travel costs, registration fees, food, lodging and time away from writing. So...the question is, "How do I maximize my presence? How do I promote myself and my book?"
Even if your book won't debut until a few months, there are things you can do. Still, it seems silly to "waste" this opportunity even though you don't have a book in hand. After all, you know that you make a note of books you want to read and you might not buy them for months! Surely other people have the same habits. And, remember, in advertising that it takes many exposures for people to form an impression. But those exposures can't be spaced too far apart. Waiting until your book hits the shelves means all those exposures would come AFTER the book is out. And those 6 weeks afterwards are critical because that's when sell-through happens. It makes sense to start now...if you can do it economically.

Here are all the promotional activities you can undertake for our visit to a book writing convention. You won't be able to tell right away which of these have been valuable.

1. Interviews-- Offered to interview the headliners for the conference. This will give you the chance to ask questions of the best and brightest. Plus, the interviews were shared in the newsletter, and you can now post them in the resource section of your website. The aim: To be on the radar screen of some of the nation's best authors. You never know whom you'll click with. Or who will bring you the next big opportunity.

2. Business cards-- I was once told to wait, but that's silly. How do you follow up a meeting without information? Have the cards printed with your book cover on the front. The ISBN is on everything. "It's like the Social Security number for your book." Should you get a tattoo? Nah.

3. Proposal for a presentation--Any unique ability in your background works for being a speaker. So, offer to do a presentation on speaking before groups. If you give a talk, chances are you will sell some books!

4. Appearances—Try to be fortunate enough to be assigned as moderator on one panel and participant on another. You have to ask early, so register early and make a pest of yourself! If you give a talk or make appearances, chances are you will sell some books!

5. Panel descriptions--How do people choose which panel to attend? Try to write your descriptions in such a way that they were full of promise...promise that you know you could deliver. You want to brand myself as offering tremendous value while having fun. But remember, you MUST deliver on the promise!

6. Handouts--This is a key. But the handouts can NOT be self-serving. Of course, on all the handouts, you share your details.

7. Recipe Cards and Homemade Cookies, candy--Hokey, Sure. But every time I've seen them offered, people snatch them up. On the front is a recipe, on the back is info about your book and the book cover is in color on the cards.

8. Pre-Order Contest—See if your publisher will agree to take pre-sales. The publisher keeps a list of all the pre-ordered books. From those, I'll draw one purchaser's name to be included as a character in book #2.

9. Bookmarks--Pretty standard stuff, except that you can customizing each one with a scrap booking embellishment. People oooohhhhed and aaaaahhhed over them.

10. Prizes--As a motivational speaker, you’d be pleasantly surprised by how excited audiences got when they won something. So have customize bags of M & Ms made up. The colors are the same as your book cover.

11. A small booklet or other genre specific item to ID you--I've also noticed that folks seem really astonished that I actually have skeletons. It reinforces my niche and brands me as a mystery writer.

New items and comments

2011-08-31T14:24:00.000-05:00

Hello out there,

First the news:
I had two operations within 6 weeks and almost died twice. Obviously news of my actual death was premature. I actually went on a cruise to Europe (Italy, Monaco and Greece). Doing well and in the process I lost 40 pounds. If anyone finds them--you can keep them.

My newest novel "The Trashy Gourmet" is scheduled for publication in June of 2012 and another book, a Virginia Davies novel, "Dangerous Threads" is coming out in the fall of 2012. This last one involves a quilt.

Now for the comments:
I know some of you may not agree with me and that's fine. That's what makes America great, we can all have and share our opinions freely.
My tirade today is about the governor of our state (TEXAS) and his bid to be the next President of the US. This guy (Mr. Perry) does NOT believe in global warming. I would agree with him if he said man was not the only contributor-that nature has a big part in it as well. BUT he said he doesn't buy global warming and that man has anything to do with it.
Next he asked for a got a law (overturned by a federal court) that made sonograms of fetuses be shown to women prior to an abortion. Whether you agree with abortion or not, this is cruel and just because he doesn't like it he has no right to hurt pregnant women.
Next he disagrees with science at the earth is over 4 billion years old. He's more inclined to believe untrained bible thumpers that it is only 4,000 to 6,000 years old.
He also disagrees with science about evolution and goes for the myth that the earth and man was made in 7 days.
This is a man who's running for President? He's sucking up to the Re[publican extreme right and evangelical christians and leaving the rest of the world out. He will NOT get my vote and I'll push for him NOT to get a lot of others. There are better candidates with business and government experience than him. A lot of Texans think he's operating on tortilla short of a taco. This is they guy who suggested Texas drop out of the Union, now he wants to be president?????

Operation and positive side of things

2011-06-29T08:53:00.000-05:00

I went into the hospital the end of May for a routine laposcopic gall bladder removal. It was to be about an hour operation and out of the hospital the next day. Well things went really wrong. The surgeon had to call in another doctor and they opened me up. The operation took over 5 hours and part of the bladder was burned in place because of where it had nested. It was seriously infected and when it was ready to burst (soon according to the surgeon) it would have killed me. Left the hospital a week later with 3 tubes sticking out of me. Two weeks ago the doc removed two and today-after a couple x-rays, the last one comes out. It wasn't what I signed up for but it beats the alternative. The first weeks out of the hospital were trying and I slept a lot. On the positive side I think it was a success--I'm alive, no gall stones and I lost 35 pounds and have managed to keep the weight off so far. I feel great (except for this tube which is coming out today).

I do not recommend this weight loss program.

I'm getting back to writing and getting out more now.

Virginia Davies new book in work and another one to follow.

2011-05-19T17:53:00.000-05:00

Virginia is at it again. Lots of action and adventure as usual. She and her husband Andy along with her friend Donna are in search of the 1933 Sears quilt contest quilt that was displayed tat the Chicago Worlds Fair. It was later given to Mrs. Roosevelt and then it disappeared. That part is true but in the story, it contains something of great value to the government and others.
I'm well along on it and will have it finished before too long.

After that I'm starting a new book. Chemist Jack Parker, Ph.D., is the Coroner of San Diego County California. He is also a reserve officer (Lt. Colonel) in the Army Medical Service Corp and has a background in Chemical and biological warfare from working for defense contractors and a stint at USAMRIID (US ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES). One of his Medical Examiners hits the HOT ZONE lock down button while performing an autopsy. Jack is called to the morgue. The body the M.E. was examining died of smallpox. Not regular smallpox, but an unusual and highly reactive strain of the disease. Dr. Jack looks at and realizes it is at a man made chimera. The smallpox released from the inside the cells of an E-coli bacteria as the cells were killed by antibiotics and the dead man’s immune system. Who made it? Where did it come from? E-coli is common. But, smallpox was eradicated decades ago. He knows there are still strains of smallpox in labs in Russia and in the US. Did a lab lose a sample? Who has the smallpox virus and why?

New inforation

2011-05-12T13:39:00.000-05:00

Gave my new Adam Thomas book to the publisher (L&L Dreamspell) a couple weeks ago. The title is The Trashy Gourmet. Had a lot of events this month and starting to plan some more for the rest of the summer. Will put them in the blog later.

SPEAKING

2010-11-06T11:22:00.000-05:00

HI AGAIN,
I WANTED TO LET ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CENTRAL TEXAS AREA THAT I GIVE FREE* TALKS TO GROUPS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS.

FOR INFORMATION OR TO BOOK AN ENGAGEMENT CONTACT ME AT MYSTERYWRITER5@MSN.COM.

* if the engagement is too far, I do ask for travel expenses.

New Virginia Davies mystery-Quest for the Crystal Skull in now available

2010-11-06T11:18:00.000-05:00

New Virginia Davies mystery-Quest for the Crystal Skull in now available at bookstores and on-line. ISBN: 978-1-60318-256-0

Quest for the Crystal Skull

A Virginia Davies Mystery

David Ciambrone

Texas. It’s the biggest state in the continental United States. Sun worshipers, college students at Spring Break, smugglers and hurricanes visit its coastline. This hurricane found Virginia Davies at a beachfront resort on St. John’s Island securing archaeological artifacts and treasures worth millions that had been hijacked. With the hurricane raging around her, she and a long time friend, Donna Boletti, encounter Virginia’s murdered partner, and some killers trying to steal an old crystal skull.

After she and Donna eliminate the threat of the killers and the hurricane ebbs, they heads for New Orleans to trace down the people behind the murders. Virginia and Donna are pulled into the world of Voodoo and find other groups wanting the crystal skull and her dead. She and Donna keep searching for clues while the body count keeps going up around them. She learns the people behind the murders are headquartered in Rome. In Rome she manages to get inside the world of a dangerous art and fake antiques business and an unusual laboratory for the manufacture of undetectable fake art and antiques that could mean her death.

Virginia entangles the reader in a rapid-fire adventure involving the worlds of murder, voodoo, and antique fraud and the sights and sounds of Texas, New Orleans and Rome up to the high stakes end on the Mediterranean Sea.

GET YOURS TODAY!

Arizona's new Immigration Law.

2010-05-05T16:11:00.000-05:00

I think Arizona got the right idea when it passed their new law. No one has a problem with LEGAL immigration, it is the ILLEGAL (criminal) immigration that we do not like. So:

LET ME SEE IF I GOT THIS RIGHT ABOUT IMMIGRATION

IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET 12 YEARS HARD LABOR.

IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED INDEFINITELY.

IF YOU CROSS THE AFGHAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU GET SHOT.

IF YOU CROSS THE SAUDI ARABIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE JAILED.

IF YOU CROSS THE CHINESE BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU MAY NEVER BE HEARD FROM AGAIN.

IF YOU CROSS THE VENEZUELAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE BRANDED A SPY AND YOUR FATE WILL BE SEALED.

IF YOU CROSS THE CUBAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE THROWN INTO POLITICAL PRISON TO ROT.

IF YOU CROSS THE U.S. BORDER ILLEGALLY (you are a (CRIMINAL), YOU CAN GET:

1 - A JOB,

2 - A DRIVERS LICENSE,

3 - SOCIAL SECURITY CARD,

4 - WELFARE,

5 - FOOD STAMPS,

6 - CREDIT CARDS,

7 - SUBSIDIZED RENT OR A LOAN TO BUY A HOUSE,

8 - FREE EDUCATION,

9 - FREE HEALTH CARE,

10 - A LOBBYIST IN WASHINGTON

11 - BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS PRINTED IN YOUR

LANGUAGE

12 - AND THE RIGHT TO CARRY YOUR COUNTRY'S FLAG WHILE YOU PROTEST THAT YOU DON'T GET ENOUGH RESPECT

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I HAD A FIRM GRASP ON THE SITUATION.

HELL YES I'M FOR WHAT ARIZONA DID. THEY HAD TO ACT BECAUSE THE JERKS IN WASHINGTON DO NOT HAVE THE GUTS TO ACT. THEY HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SECURE OUR BORDERS AND ARREST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, BUT THEY WILL NOT DO IT.

THIS MESS IS COSTING US CITIZENS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE LEGALLY BILLIONS AND WE CAN'T SEEM TO GET WASHINGTON HEAD OUT OF IT'S ASS. HOSPITALS HAVE CLOSED EMERGENCY ROOM BECAUSE THEY CAN AFFORD TO TREAT THEM FOR FREE. THIS AFFECTS YOU WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO FURTHER TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM IN CASE OF A MEDICAL PROBLEM THEN YOU'LL WAIT BEHIND A BUNCH OF ILLEGAL (CRIMINAL) IMMIGRANTS WHO WE MUST TREAT FOR FREE. THE HOSPITAL CHARGES MORE TO RECOVER THEIR COSTS FROM WHO? YOU AND YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. SO DON'T BITCH WHEN YOUR INSURANCE GOES UP AND THE HOSPITAL COSTS A FORTUNE. YOUR TAXES ARE PAYING FOR THEM TOO FOR ALL THE "FREE" THINGS THEY CAN GET (SEE ABOVE). THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH---YOU PAY IT FOR THEM. HOW STUPID CAN WE GET? SO GOOD FOR ARIZONA--WHICH OTHER STATES WILL HAVE THE GUTS TO FOLLOW THEIR EXAMPLE? PERSONALLY I DON'T CARE WHAT THE ADVOCATES FOR THE IMMIGRANTS THINK OR NBC OR CBS OR CNN OR THE OTHER WACOS IN THE PRESS THINK.

More handy hints for everyday use.

2010-04-12T13:08:00.001-05:00

· What to do with bottles of left over wine with some wine still in them? It seems a shame to just throw it away but there isn’t a lot left in each bottle and they take up room. What’s a cook to do? Don't throw out all that leftover wine. There is an easy way to “save” the wine for future use, maybe not drinking but why waste good wine? You can freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

· When dealing with fish, it is a good idea to have a way to take away the fishy taste of frozen fish or the gamey taste of game fish. The easiest way to take away these unwanted tastes is to soak the fish in milk for several hours before cooking. Blot the milk from the fish with paper towels and prepare as planned. But, use whole milk only.

· Your tea tasting extra bitter? Over boiling, that is boiling the water for too long drives is a lot of the absorbed air out, thus making it taste somewhat flat. It will also cause more Tannic acid to be released from the tea leaves and cause a bitter taste.

· The practice of “grinding” dried spices into cooking is based on real science and not just Grandma’s kookiness. The grinding of dried spices is just a matter of crushing the dried leaves and stalks of the spice in the palm of your hand. The breaking up of these prepared spices relieves the oils so they may enhance the flavor of your cooking more than just adding unpulverized spices to the pot.

· Keeping the cut edge of cheese moist under refrigeration is a long-standing problem in most kitchens. Even wrapping it doesn’t prevent the cheese from drying out at the cut edges. Keep the cut edge of cheese moist by applying a thin coat of butter over the edges of cut cheese and then refrigerate. But you must Use real butter.

The Trashy Gourmet updates

2010-02-17T14:34:00.000-06:00

The new nonfiction book The Best of Trashy Gourmet is in work. I hope to have it finished by late spring. Here is a couple of the things in it so far.

I named the book The Best of the Trashy Gourmet because there is another new Adam Thomas mystery book in the works called the Trashy Gourmet. Some of the material in the Best of book will be in the end of the mystery too. Stay tooned for updates.

2009-10-27T17:17:00.000-05:00

I'm going to be using this BLOG to do something different. I'm going to answer questions people have sent me and give household handy hints on things from cleaning, to the yard to health issues like I did in the newspaper. This should be fun. Each week, starting the week of November 2nd, I'll be adding some new handy hint--for example, you can use canned shaving cream to spot clean a carpet. It works wonders.

I may also have some cooking suggestions. One for example that was asked "Is Propane actually hotter than natural gas? The answer is yes and gas is easier to cook with than electric ranges.

More to follow.

2009-09-10T16:51:00.000-05:00

Oaky, it's been a long time since I added anything. What's new you ask?

Well, we started the 2009 - 2010 Georgetown Library Writer's College and it looks like it is going to go well.

We may take our writing classes "on the road" to other libraries around central Texas.

I finished my latest Virginia Davies mystery but need the synopsis or "book back material". Hopefully I'll have this done soon.

Started a new Adam Thomas Mystery. More on this later.

Setting up a consulting business with another firm and now have a blog for it http//Ciambroneandassociates.blogspot.com. I'll be setting up a website as well soon.

Got the Texas Mystery Book of the summer 2009 from the Dallas Book Guild.

Also joined a gym. For a change-- I like it!

I'll be teaching mystery writing for the writer's college soon and will be giving a talk in Feb. 2010 for the Austin, TX section of ASQC.

Will be on a panel in Feb for Sisters in Crime and later give a talk on Sherlock Holmes.

I promise to add more to this and the new business blog shortly.

2009-06-13T12:00:00.000-05:00

It is now mid June. I have just finished teaching a class in Poisons at Southwestern University for Sr. University. We are doing the initial planning for a second writer's college at the Georgetown Library starting in September. Also this September I have started with the Library Foundation to institute adult education classes. This should be fun and something the community needs and inexpensive but also help the library. Both these functions take effort and we have a good team set to do them.

San Gabriel Secret got the Dallas Writer's Guild Summer 2009 Mystery Book of the summer award. (Publisher please take note).

Going to Montana shortly to visit friends and sight see. Driving so the trip will be interesting as well.

Just finished another Virginia Davies novel but it needs a title and I haven't got one yet. Working on it.

Update from Dr. Poison

2009-05-06T15:12:00.000-05:00

It has been a while. I have three new books out:

Effective Transition from Design to Production (management book)

Poison Handbook for Writers

San Gabriel's Secret -- start of a new mystery series with a Sr. Citizen for a hero!

I also taught a class at the Sr. University here in Georgetown, TX and will be teaching another on in June on poisons.

Will be an instructor at the University of Texas this fall on writing.

I have a couple of interesting lectures I give one is called Vintage Aprons and I have some real examples and my own portable clothesline! The second is The History of Mysteries. also do a talk on Sherlock Holmes -the man and one on forensics for writers and one called Murder 101-what really happens when you kill someone.

I am now a member of the Georgetown Library Advisory Board, on the Board of Directors of the Writer's League of Texas, VP of Sisters in Crime (Austin, TX) and President of the San Gabriel Writer's League.

My newspaper column called Ask Uncle Dave is still running and a lot of fun to do.

A number of us authors put on workshops on writing in conjunction with the Georgetown Library called the Library Writer's College. It was a gig success!!! We are now starting the planning for another college this fall. To go along with it-we are planning an adult education series called Georgetown Learns. This will be a lot of work but it should do well.

I have also started anew mystery with Virginia Davies again. It is in work as we speak (or write).

More pots soon-I promise

August update

2008-07-30T16:04:00.000-05:00

Boy have we been busy! I have been to California twice for talks on poisons and selling books. The first trip was to LA and the Mystery Writer's of America chapter. Got to see some old friends as well. The second trip was to Orange County to Sisters in Crime (my old chapter). It was great and again go to see some old friends and made some new ones. I'll be teaching some classes for the Georgetown, TX public library Writer's College this fall and winter and doing some speaking around the area including at the University of Texas. Going to Port Aransis this October for some R&R (needed) and to Virginia to see my folks. I have also been in Fort Worth at the Sisters in Crime and at Frisco, Texas at a very successful book signing. The new book in a new series San Gabriel Secret will be hopefully out December 2008. I have a new Virginia Davies mystery adventure in work. The newspaper column, Uncle Dave, is going strong. So we have been busy but having fun!

Award-new book to publisher and new book in work

2008-05-20T11:44:00.000-05:00

The job of a writer never stops. When you are not writting, you're selling or talking or ??? This is crazy but we keep doing it. This is because we love to write and when you have a great editor and publisher, you are really motivated. Well, so much for the intro. It's been that kind of week -this past week I mean. I did a class in writing a mystery over three evenings at Barnes and Noble. It was a success but I was glad it was done. Sunday I got the Barbara Burnett Smith Mentoring Author"s SAGE Award. It is beautiful and the event last Sunday was fun and boy did I get roasted. The President of our chapter of Sisters in Crime works at a bakery and had sugar cookies made that had the picture of my latest book on them. That was really nice and she's a great lady. It was a fun event. My book with Adam Thomas as the new lead character is at the publisher and I've started a new book with Virginia davies as the lead again. Have some talks coming up ranging from Poisons to forensics to Aprons. Don't ask. I'm setting up more signings and talks this summer.

Mystery in Three Parts

2008-04-10T15:50:00.000-05:00

I am going to be teaching mystery writing the end of September on the writing cruise (see earlier blog) but now, as part of winning the Sage award, I will be teaching mystery writing at the WastLake Barnes and Noble bookstore in Austin, TX the 14th thru the 16th of May. This should be fun and a dry run for the cruise course. This is fortunate but now I have to get ready on top of a number of speaking engagements the Library Board, fixing a broken pipe and taling care of some grandkids while their parents are away for a while on top of normal tasks like cutting over an acre of grass and yard work. For this I retired??? I'm busier now than when I worked in California but without the murderous commute.
So, if anyone is interested in free class, come to the Westlake Barnes and Noble and take the course. If nothing else, we can have fun and the Customer Relations Manager is wonderful!

I'll be in Houston, TX at the Sisters-in Crime chapter this Saturday and at the Sisters-in Crime chapter in Austin, TX on Sunday. On the 19th of April I'll be at Hill Country Books in Georgetown, TX (north of Austin at 3pm to speak to a mystery readers group and in Ft. Worth on the 27th. So much for April. May looks worse but who's complaining? The people I get to meet are really nice and they usually purchase books and the travel is fun.

2008 Sage Award

2008-03-20T16:27:00.000-05:00

I have a little self congradualtions to boast about for a change. It is about the Barbara Burnett Smith Mentoring Authors Foundation Sage Award. See following:

The Barbara Burnett Smith Mentoring Authors Foundation is pleased to announce the Second Annual Sage Award. The Sage will be awarded to the Mentoring Author that demonstrates an outstanding spirit of service in mentoring, sharing and leading others in the mystery writing community.
The Sage recipient will be honored at the Fourth Annual Barbara Burnett Smith Aspiring Writers Event on Sunday, May 18, 2008, at Barnes & Noble Westlake in Austin, Texas.

Well guess what? I was nominated by persons unknown but I was selected as the 2008 Sage Award winner. I think that is great. I've always believed in sharing knowledge and helping and encouraging others but didn't think anyone really noticed. Biy was I surprised! I can't thank the selection committee enough. This is great. I hope the people I have tried to help got what they needed and are successful.

Newest book released

2008-03-14T16:32:00.000-05:00

I'm happy to announce that my latest book THE POISONS HANDBOOK FOR WRITERS was released Monday March 10, 2008. You can get an idea of the subject matter by reading the following.

Writers love poisons.
They really do. In fact they love them a great deal. Guns are noisy and messy. Knives are hard to use and bring the killer to close to the victim. Most don’t have the fortitude for strangling and bludgeoning. But, a poison? Simply slip a bit into food or drink and walk away. No fuss, no muss. Poisons are simple and clean. Almost civilized.
But, what exactly is a poison? The short answer is anything and everything. There is an adage in medicine that says: What can cure; can kill. This is a very true statement. Too much water and you’ll die. Breathing 100% oxygen will destroy your lungs...and you’ll die. Take too much aspirin and you’ll die. The basic difference between a medicine and a poison is the dose.
A couple of aspirin will cure a headache. A handful will knock your system sideways. You’ll develop severe acidosis and die. A proper dose of digitalis can strengthen the heart and keep its rhythm regular. A lot will cause the heart to jump into a chaotic and deadly rhythm. So medications can be poisonous.
The opposite is also true. A poison in small doses does little harm. We all have low levels of lead and arsenic and even cyanide in our systems. In larger amounts, each of these is extremely deadly.
So, where do writers find the poisons they use in their tales? The medicine cabinet would be a good place to look. Or under the sink. A pharmacy or chemical supply house would work, too. But, the best place just might be your back yard or your local nursery.
The world is filled with toxic plants. The medicines digitalis, quinidine, and belladonna come from the Foxglove, the Cinchona Tree, and the Deadly Nightshade, respectively. Opium and its cousins morphine and codeine and heroin come from the Opium Poppy. So, the plant world is filled with writerly possibilities.
Where can writers learn about all these household and backyard poisons?
Enter Dr. David Ciambrone and his Book of Poisons. In this remarkable book he shares his extensive knowledge on all things toxic in a clear and concise format. The writer can easily choose the poison that fits his plot needs and learn all he needs to know about how the poison works and how it affects the unfortunate victim.
If you write crime fiction, you need this book. It will not only supply you with a vast range of knowledge, it will also tickle that little part of your creative mind that asks: What if? And that’s where the story starts.

D. P. Lyle, MD
Award-winning author of Forensics For Dummies
and Forensics and Fiction
http://www.dplylemd.com/

It was really great of Dr. Lyle to write that great article that is the Forward to the book. If you are a mystery writer or just curious, this is the book for you.

Issues - new book and stuff

2008-03-06T11:05:00.000-06:00

I have taken an issue with the announcement by Sisters-in Crime to delete the small presses from their books in print booklet. This should have been up to a vote of the membership not done by management. A lot of their members are published by small presses and this is a slap in the face. It is about time the bookstores and libraries worked with smaller presses. This has caused a lot of e-mail and blog traffic on the subject and most of it is not good. I think Sisters in Crime made a monumental mistake. This will and should cost them membership. Okay, now I'll get off my soap box.
Last night I sent me latest work to the publisher for reading. It was a long effort to finish it but after a number of rewrites and going through two critique groups, I think it was finally ready. It is about a retired engineer from California who moved to a small Texas town and writes a newspaper column under a woman's name because it is a handy hints column. He inherits a Confederate soldier's journal and this starts a wild, and dangerous ride to locate a long lost treasure, even though people around him are kidnapped, killed and have bad things happen (it is a mystery after all). It has a lot of action and suspense in it too. I've started another book in my old Virginia Davies series again.
In the mean time, I was appointed to the Library Advisory Board by the City and will go to my first meeting next week. This should be interesting.

News update and new book announcement

2008-02-29T09:02:00.000-06:00

Today is February 29th. Friday and for a change I don't have anything booked except to catch up and write! I have good news. I just heard from my terrific publisher (L&L Dreamspell) that my newest book The Poison Handbook for Writers is being released. It will retail for $7.95 and contains information on easily accessible poisons and how much to use and what to expect and how long it takes to work. I should be real popular with the police agencies around the country. The book has sparked a lot of interest and I have speaking engagements fro Texas to California lined up. If anyone wants to have me speak, send me an e-mail and we can see what we can do. (mysterywriter6@msn.com). I'm working on another handbook called Murder 101. It tells you what really happens when you use various methods to kill someone. Hollywood and TV do not do it right. It will also discuss some of the other mistakes made by Hollywood and what you should say in your mysteries. I have another mystery going to my publisher probably next week and I'm starting another one. Between all the writing, book signings, speaking engagements and being in a number of writing organizations I have added another "job". I was appointed to the Library Board in Georgetown, TX. Isn't retirement fun? I thought I was supposed to play golf all day. I don't remember where I put my clubs. I will have to start adding working in the yard soon, my tractor will be coming back from it visit to the tractor hospital today, so my excuse is gone. Aslo working on the seminar / workshop for the writing cruise. Remember and sign up for it, it will be a lot of fun!

Writing Cruise in the Fall

2008-02-21T18:12:00.000-06:00

The following is a great deal and will be a lot of fun.
Sept. 2008 Carnival Cruise-Burlee Travel Writing Cruise to the Caribbean

You always secretly wanted to be a writer. You’ve had stories in your head for years but couldn’t quite get to put them down on paper. You’ve had good reasons why not. Some of the excuses are I don’t write well, don’t have time and don’t know how. Well, Carnival Cruise and Burlee Travel have a deal for you. The Sept.28 thru Oct.5, 2008 Carnival Cruise-Burlee Travel Writing Cruise to the Caribbean will provide you the nurturing atmosphere and tools to start or continue to write that novel you’ve always wanted to. Learn what they mean by giving yourself permission to write badly. How to format and start writing and finding the time to write. Start that Romance or Mystery Novel in the creative atmosphere of the Caribbean with published authors Sylvia Dickey Smith and Dave Ciambrone. For more information or registration, contact Burlee Travel at 1-877-442-1494 or http://www.bruleetravel.com/. E-mail at BurleeTravel@aol.com
Come hang out with us for a week of fun and intensive mystery and romance writing classes on a Carnival cruise that you'll never forget!
Where else will you get your room, food, entertainment, adventure in the Caribbean and a writing seminar all for a price lower than most writer’s conventions or courses.
We'll be teaching:
Seminars
One-on-one mentoring
Critique of a segment of your manuscript

Cabin prices are per person (based on double occupancy) including workshop fees, accommodations, food, entertainment on-board, port charges, government taxes and fees

Inside cabin $650.33 pp
Oceanview $760.33 pp
Balcony $930.33 pp
Consult your tax advisor to see if the cost is tax deductible for you.
Carnival Cruises has excellent children's programs for children of all ages.
Reserve your cabin by April 30 to guarantee your place on this unforgettable cruise.

Goings on and handy hints

2008-02-21T12:24:00.000-06:00

This week has been rough but improving. Getting speaking engagements and signings is a tedious job but worth it. Besides selling books, you get to meet a lot of really nice people. This blog is new to me as well. I have a new book going to the publisher in March which is a new mystery and has a main character that writes a handy hints column for ladies under the name Aunt Kay. The book will have some of his columns in it with handy hints for around the house. Later in the Blog, I will insert some of these hints as well as other materials that maybe helpful.

Doctor Poison - Introduction

2008-02-20T16:13:00.000-06:00

Hi,

I'm Dr. Dave Ciambrone and I am a mystery author and scientist who now specializes in forensics and MURDER. I have five mysteries published with more in the works. The books are: Napa Nights, Pelican Cove, Castle Finlaystoke, Left at Georgetown and a new one coming out in March is The Poison Handbook for Writers.

I give talks on poisons and methods of murder or What really happens when you kill someone or MURDER 101. I will be letting you know more about what is happening shortly along with information the mystery writer can use. Upcoming events for March include:

Dr. David Ciambrone, Williamson County Sun’s Uncle Dave, will be signing his new books Left at Georgetown and The Poison Handbook for Writers at Hastings Bookstore (Round Rock, Texas) March 8th from 5:30 to 8pm
Dr. David Ciambrone, Williamson County Sun’s Uncle Dave, will be signing his new books Left at Georgetown and The Poison Handbook for Writers at Vino 100 wine store, Wolf Ranch Shopping Center, Georgetown, TX. On Thursday March 13th from 6-8pm

Dr. David Ciambrone, Williamson County Sun’s Uncle Dave, will be signing his new books Left at Georgetown and The Poison Handbook for Writers at Hill Country Books, Georgetown, TX March 19th from 2-4pm

Dr. David Ciambrone, Williamson County Sun’s Uncle Dave, will be speaking on Poisons and signing The Poison Handbook for Writers at Hill Country Writing League, Austin Community College-Cypress Creek Campus—at 7pm in Room 2232 on Thursday, March 27th.

See you soon.